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freshly baked pain d’épices

Pain d’épices (French Spice Cake)

Pain d’épices is a traditional French spice cake made with honey, warm spices, and a hint of orange zest. It’s rich, moist, and comforting—like gingerbread’s French cousin. Perfect with tea, coffee, or as a holiday treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast treat, Dessert, Kids Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 270
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

(1 standard loaf, 8–10 servings)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour or 1 ½ cups all-purpose + ½ cup rye flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground star anise or anise seeds
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¾ cup honey dark, floral honey if possible
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
  3. Warm honey and sugar. In a small pan, heat honey and brown sugar until smooth. Let cool slightly.
  4. Combine wet mix. In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs, vanilla, and orange zest. Add in the cooled honey mixture.
  5. Mix wet and dry. Stir wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Don’t overmix.
  6. Bake. Pour batter into loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool. Let rest for 15 minutes, then slice and enjoy.

Notes

  • This cake tastes even better on the second or third day once the flavors have settled.
  • Store it wrapped at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze slices for longer storage.
  • You can swap rye flour in or out depending on how dense you like your cake.